Why?

I have been tagged by Tracy at Pink Purl to do a meme about why I craft. Having read the very interesting and entertaining answers that both Tracy and Anna have given to this meme. I've been worrying about doing this for a while. It is hard to write about something you love doing without sounding insincere, but in a nutshell, if you can't be bothered to read on, I do what I do because I love it!



1. When did you start to create and make crafts?
I have always been one for making and doing. Because I am an only child I am quite a shy creature and do enjoy my own company. I remember spending lots of time in my bedroom busy presenting Blue Peter showing the world what my latest creation was, always involving lots of egg cartons and sticky back plastic (and I'm pleased to say that I've caught both my daughters over the years doing their TV presenter bits in their bedrooms showing off their latest creations). I would love days at school when we could papier mache balloons, get the glitter out or make those stained glass windows with tissue paper for Christmas. I was (and still am) happiest making things or reading. I remember always asking for paints for presents and asking my mum to show me how to knit and sew. A favourite time of mine was when a very old Aunt would come and visit and she would always bring an old tin of brooches for me to play with, I loved the colours and sparkliness of them.



2. Why did you start creating?
I don't know why I started creating things. It is just something that I always enjoyed doing. It never felt right unless I had a project on the go. I loved giving my creations to my mum, who in best mummy fashion would adore them. I remember when I was younger that my mother always wanted to live in a cottage in the countryside and I bought a tapestry kit and made her a cottage surrounded by trees and flowers. She framed the picture and it hung in our hall for years - when she died it was lovely to get the picture back and it always makes me think of her.
Unfortunately I went to a very academic school and although I was good at Art I was encouraged to drop it in favour of History. At the time it wasn't a big deal but now I wish I'd stuck to my guns. But in a way perhaps what I liked about the creating I did when I was younger, was the fact that it could be done in private and not be judged.



3. Why do you create?
This is a hard one. I create because I need to (gosh that sounds a bit pretentious!). What I mean is that I need to be making something, my head is always full of projects and ideas and I know that I am perhaps just downright miserable and frustrated if I can't give them a go! I love colour and really enjoy using it, similarly, I love seeing shapes and patterns appear in my ragging. When I was a student, wherever I lived, the first thing I would do was buy a pot of paint. I had to add colour to my surroundings and make it my own. So perhaps like for most of us, I extend my love of making things to my surroundings too. I have done pottery and mosaics courses and loved them both and for a while sold my mosaics with a friend - but it is ragging that suits me best. The best form of recycling for me, creating something from nothing, from something that would have been thrown away. Giving things a new lease of life.



4. What do you create?
When I first started to ragrug I tended to make bigger pieces that were for my use. rugs etc. As time has gone on I have made smaller pieces for people to buy. It takes a lot of fabric and time to keep on making those rugs! Tea cosies seem to be a happy medium for me, scaled down rugs with a purpose! I like to have a go at most things and am enjoying playing with my new sewing machine, some days I feel like tackling everything but most days I stick to what I know!



5. Has this changed since you began crafting?
Things do change and evolve and there is a huge difference between what you enjoy making and having around the house and what others might enjoy. I look back and see things I made a few years back and enjoy following the trail back to the present. I can't thank everyone who reads this blog enough for giving me back my confidence and allowing me to indulge in what I love doing. I am constantly amazed at the wealth of talent and support that bloggers show.



6. What are your crafting goals for the future?
I am really enjoying making lots of things for Christmas and putting them in my Etsy shop and would love to be able to carry on with Etsy and I am loving being able to supply shops with my things too. Best of all, wouldn't it be lovely to have the time to make all the things that we would love to have a go at? Similarly wouldn't it be great if they turned out as wonderful as they are in our mind's eye!?



Well, that's it, very personal and sorry to have gone wittering on for so long.
I've always thought of myself as a person who plays it safe and never a rule breaker but this blogging business is bringing out the rebel in me - I think the rules of the meme are that I am meant to tag 5 other bloggers to answer the above questions. Well let's just forget the rules, if you want to join in and tell us why, feel free! Have a great weekend and pop over to read Anna's and Tracy's much more interesting and illuminating answers if you've got the time.
See you next week.